Ward closes after safety concerns

A seven-bed ward at Bradford-on-Avon hospital in Wiltshire has been closed following a safety inspection.

The Commission for Health Improvement is concerned for elderly patients in the event of an emergency evacuation as the ward is upstairs.

The ward is temporarily closed to new admissions and patients are being moved downstairs or discharged.

A few days ago, Warminster Hospital closed its in-patient ward following a row over GP contracts.

Doctors who usually supervise the beds are no longer prepared to spend time working there.

West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust is now trying to find a solution to both closures.

A spokesman said Bradford-on-Avon hospital is an old building in need of substantial financial investment to bring it up to modern-day standards.